by Brenda Scott Royce, SCBWI-L.A. Contest Coordinator
Author Sherry Shahan, recipient of this year’s Sue Alexander Grant
We’re thrilled to announce this year’s winner of the Sue Alexander Grant, Sherry Shahan, whose middle-grade adventure got our judges’ hearts racing!
“My middle-grade work-in-progress, The Icy Wilds, was inspired by my many treks to Alaska as a photojournalist,” Sherry says. “In particular, visiting a small town where 95 percent of the residents live in a building that also houses a post office, church, general store, etc.”
“Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered quarterly as part of our Kite Tales blog.
Hi Christine – What’s the best way to research nonfiction picture book topics?
—Bria, Los Angeles
Hello Bria – While everyone has their own styles and preferences, I’ll share some techniques I’ve used for the nonfiction picture books I’ve had published.
Pro tip #1: Use your badge lanyard as an easy way to tell people about your books! I printed these on cardstock and taped them on.
What is ALA? Who gets to go to ALA? How can I go to ALA? Will my publisher pay for me to go to ALA? What is it like going to ALA? WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH ALA??
Perhaps these questions have been floating in your head for years, easy to ignore or not contemplate for too long. That’s what it’s been like for me. But this year, as the American Library Association (ALA) held its annual conference in San Diego last month, it was impossible for me to ignore the giddy updates and photos flooding my socials with friends who were SO EXCITED TO BE AT ALA!!!! Because I was there, too.
As a traditionally published picture book author who debuted in 2020, I’m happy to share my recap of how I got to go to the conference, along with some insider tips to help demystify attending ALA Annual.
Events, Opportunities, and Resources happening now and coming soon for the Tri-Regions and beyond
OPEN NOW Registration is open! Learn about craft and book publishing, connect with professionals in the industry, and mingle with creative people at the SCBWI SoCal Fall Harvest Writers and Illustrators Day! This full-day conference will take place in-person at the California State University Fullerton Titan Student Union OR online, on Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and will include agents, an art director, local authors, and an illustrator. There will be critiques, portfolio reviews, pitches, and contests. Click here to register!
OPEN NOW Join SCBWI in celebrating World Kid Lit Month in September by submitting your book recommendations now! The Official SCBWI Blog is hosting a month-long celebration of “children’s and YA literature from around the world,” and your short book reviews are invited. There will be four blog posts, each focusing on a different continent: the Americas, Africa, Asia & Oceania, and Europe. For more information, click the link here. All submissions should be emailed to World Kit Lit (worldkidlit@gmail.com).
ONGOING Submit your book now for the SCBWI Impact & Legacy Fund (ILF) Russell Freedman Award or apply for a grant from The ILF Encouragement Fund! No SCBWI membership is required. However, you must be traditionally published. Submissions will close on September 15, 2024.
ONGOING Sign up for the SCBWI CenCal’s 2024 Writers and Illustrators Day! Regular pricing registration for SCBWI members is $137 and will remain open until all seats are filled. The event will be held in-person at the Camarillo Community Center on Saturday, September 21, 2024. There will be an additional “optional online Pitchfest via Zoom” on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
As the Olympic torch makes its way to the 2024 Paris Games, the Los Angeles region has its own torch story to tell—this one about the passing of a torch as one volunteer-led era segues into a new one. Here’s the news from our Regional Team leaders, in their own words:
Sally Jones Rogan, SCBWI-L.A. Regional Advisor, with a message and a reminder
A Letter from Sally Jones Rogan
Dear Los Angeles members,
Some weeks back, candidates were invited to apply for volunteer L.A. Regional Advisors. We are thrilled to announce that SCBWI Headquarters has appointed our very own Kim Wildman to step into the L.A. Regional Advisor role.
Many of you will already know Kim as our highly capable Assistant Regional Advisor (ARA, or as we aptly renamed the title, “Always Running Around”)! Kim has many years of experience as a Regional Team volunteer and is perfectly suited to spearhead events, present member opportunities, lead the regional volunteer team, and undertake the administrative duties and reporting required by SCBWI Headquarters.
Poet-TeacherJessica Wilson, Los Angeles area coordinator for California Poets in the Schools
California Poets in the Schools Poet-Teacher Jessica Wilson brings poetry to students at elementary, middle, and high school levels. As CalPoet’s area coordinator for Los Angeles County, she onboards new Poet-Teachers and manages new opportunities for the program. Jessica is also active in the broader Los Angeles poetry community, including as founder and director of the Los Angeles Poet Society, whose offerings include year-round open mic events, a Creative Aging Senior Advocacy program, and Bilingual Poetry Workshops for all ages.
Meg Hamill, executive director, California Poets in the Schools
California Poets in Schools (CalPoets) is a thriving program that encourages students to write. Established in 1964, the nonprofit has been successful not only in improving its students’ writing skills, but also in enhancing their personal development. Part of what makes it so special is that the medium used is poetry. I was fortunate to interview Executive Director Meg Hamill for Kite Tales.
Events, Opportunities, and Resources happening now and coming soon for the Tri-Regions and beyond
ONGOING There are lots of opportunities for PAL and self-published SCBWI members in the coming months! Snag one of the few remaining slots at the SCBWI’s Orange County Book Fair booth. The event takes place in Old Town Tustin on Saturday, July 13, 2024. Register here.
The Los Angeles Kids Book Festival has limited seats available for published SCBWI members and will take place in West Hollywood Park on Sunday, September 8, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information about registering, click here.
ONGOING Registration for the Virtual Summer Conference is still open! The online event will take place from August 1–August 4. Registration is $195 for premium members and $295 for non-members. There will be 50 jam-packed sessions to choose from on the topic of craft and the business of children’s book creation. Every attendee will have access to all content sessions for up to one month after the conference.
CONNECTING THE CREATIVE DOTS is Saturday, September 21, 2024, with an optional online pitchfest/portfolio review the following day, Sunday, September 22, for an additional fee. The first day is in-person at a new venue, the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District Auditorium, 1605 E. Burnley Street in Camarillo. Lunch is provided.
Whether you’re a PAL member, independently published, or pre-published, Kite Tales wants to hear about your stories and experiences in the kid lit world. Writers, illustrators, translators, editors, publishers, agents, teachers, librarians, and more welcome!
Kite Tales 